Utah has long been a leader in disciplined planning and investment in transportation. As the state population is expected to increase by over 60 percent by 2040, we must ensure our state’s transportation system will be able to keep pace with population growth, and we also need to maintain the system that we already have. This dynamic growth requires a long-term view and stable, adequate funding as is provided in H.B. 135.

This bill would reduce the motor-fuel tax to a 12.2 cent per gallon base, and adjust annually based on a five maintenance variable index capped at 2% increase and will sunset in 2021. This bill captures the broad base benefit of an efficient and well maintained transportation system. This is not a tax increase as the bill is revenue neutral in its first year and critically preserves purchasing power in the motor-fuel tax through the annual adjustments.

I urge you to support and pass H.B. 135 – Transportation Funding Amendments out committee favorably.